so heres the deal, i have an 88 xj that the brakes were really weak on. i finally decided to try to fix it and figured out that my rotors were glazed over and on the back my shoes were almost nonexistant. so i went ahead and turned the rotors and replaced my shoes. ends up that wasnt the problem. so i jacked up my rear end, put it in drive and with the brakes pressed they would still turn some at idle. they have been bled and my booster seems good (after running the test that my haynes told me to try). so im pretty much stuck and not sure what to do. my first thought was the proportional valve but i was told that if it was stuck my brake light would come on. if anyone has an idea as to what my problem could be please let me know.
thanks,
cody

 

You said you replaced the shoes (rear brakes) did you also replace the pads in front? Were the rear brakes adjusted after new shoes?

 

Make sure the rear brakes are adjusted correctly, and make sure the wheel cylinders are working. The wheel cylinder pistons can get all rusted inside the bore and seize up.

 

the pads are good. i adjusted the shoes right. and how can i check if the wheel cylinder pistons are good

 

early xj brake are not worh a crap to begin with,once you install bigger tires there use less what size tire you using

 

here the only cure when running big tires 33 and up http://www.jpmagazine.com/techarticl...des/index.html

 

Pull the wheels and drums off and peel the dust boots on the wheel cylinder back a little bit, there shouldn't be any rust or fluid behind the dust boots. Now put a finger in both sides of the wheel cylinder and move the pistons back and forth about 1/4 of an inch. They should move freely and no fluid should come out. If there is no movement and it is a drippy mess in there, replace the wheel cylinders. Don't waste your time and money on trying to rebuild them, new complete wheel cylinders are cheap.

 

If your rear tires turn when thier off the ground and the break pedal is pressed there is something very wrong with them. Probly siezed cylinders. Check them like bustedback said

 

im running 35s so i know they wont be great but these are just dangerous. and i will try to check the cylinders this weekend

 

nice artical, i might have to do this

 

i will definatly be hitting some junkyards up very soon for this

 

I am having a problem with breaks my self. i have replaced every thing. and i mean every thing! from booster all the way back. booster, master, lines,etc. bled out not getting any air out of the bleeders but still no pedal.?????? stumped!!

 

Did you bench bleed the master cylinder?

 

Yes followed every step to the T.

 

I suggest you start a new thread arlo, you might get more replys.